Initial Manuscript Screening

 

Every manuscript submitted to Journal of Decision Support Systems and Multi-Criteria Decision Making undergoes an initial editorial screening before being forwarded for peer review. This stage determines whether the manuscript satisfies the journal's basic requirements and is sufficiently suitable for further evaluation.

1. Scope and Relevance Check
  • Confirm that the manuscript fits the journal's aims and scope.
  • Assess whether the research topic is relevant to decision support systems, multi-criteria decision-making, informatics, computer science, information technology, or related fields covered by the journal.
  • Identify manuscripts that are clearly outside the journal's scope.
2. Technical and Formatting Check
  • Check compliance with the official manuscript template.
  • Check manuscript structure and completeness.
  • Check tables, figures, equations, references, and citations.
  • Check author information and required submission metadata.
  • Check whether the manuscript is readable and professionally presented.
3. Academic and Ethical Check
  • Assess whether the manuscript presents a meaningful research contribution.
  • Identify obvious methodological or presentation deficiencies.
  • Check potential plagiarism or inappropriate textual similarity.
  • Check for indications of duplicate or simultaneous submission.
  • Verify the presence of relevant declarations where required.
Screening Outcomes

Following screening, the manuscript may proceed to reviewer selection, be returned to the author for technical or administrative correction, or be declined before peer review when it does not satisfy the journal's basic requirements.

Proceed to Peer Review

The manuscript satisfies the initial screening requirements and proceeds to editorial assignment and reviewer selection.

Return for Correction

The manuscript requires technical, formatting, metadata, or administrative corrections before further consideration.

Decline Before Peer Review

The manuscript may be declined when it falls outside the journal's scope, fails to meet fundamental requirements, or presents serious academic or ethical concerns.